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Sexual assault charges against man dismissed

Felony charges against a Hudson man resulting from the investigation of an incident nearly three years ago have been dismissed in St. Croix County Circuit Court.

Judge Eric J. Lundell dismissed the case against Gregory Lynn Drinkwine, 58, on Jan. 15 at the request of District Attorney Eric Johnson's office. The motion to dismiss said the state was unable to meet its burden of proof.

Drinkwine was charged with six felony counts, including four of sexual assault stemming from incidents that allegedly occurred in February and March 2006 at Community Living Specialists, a licensed family group home in the town of Hudson.

The Pierce County Department of Health and Human Services notified the St. Croix County Sheriff's office on March 8, 2007, after the 26-year-old female victim involved, who suffered from a brain injury, transferred to another facility, the criminal complaint said.

The complaint was filed last spring, and Drinkwine made an initial appearance in court on May 27. Kathyrn S. Grosdidier represented the state.

Hudson defense attorney Mark J. Gherty filed a motion to dismiss on June 16 citing, among other things, that the state had more than 14 months to conduct an investigation.